Page 30 of The Lies
“What about this dresser? It would look amazing on the back wall of the bakery, don’t you think?”
I stand and look at the piece of furniture he’s talking about. If I’m being honest, I’d forgotten about so much of what we had here that it didn’t even enter my head as something I could make use of. “Yeah, it would. Do you think it will fit?”
“I’m pretty sure, yeah.”
“Okay then,” I say, slapping a post-it note on it that saysIreland. I assist Blake in moving it to my courier pile that seems to be growing by the minute when the sound of a door shutting stops us in our tracks. I know Juliette has a key, so maybe she decided to stop by and help after her hair appointment.
“Adds?” His voice sends shivers down my spine. I haven’t missed it one bit. I look up to see Blake staring over my shoulder, his eyes running up and down the slim figure I know is behind me.
I take a deep breath before turning around to face him. “Edward,” I state. He looks exactly as I remember. Perfect hair, sharp suit, shiny shoes. He radiates money, which is fucking hilarious seeing as he’s boracic.
“I was just—”
“It’s fine. It’s yoursapparently,” I say, but mutter the last word quietly. I don’t want to be a bitch and end on worse terms than needed. I’ll be the first to admit that his cheating was a blessing, really. It’s given me a wonderful new life that I wouldn’t change for the world.
The three of us stand there staring at each other in silence until Blake clears his throat.
“Oh uh…Edward, this is Blake, my uh…boyfriend?”
“Her boyfriend,” Blake confirms.
Edward’s eyes widen as he looks behind me to Blake. He clearly hadn’t noticed him.
“You didn’t waste any time,” he says sarcastically.
“That’s rich.”
And right on cue, there’s a bang behind him before “Eddie,” is called down the hallway. My back stiffens as I prepare to see my PA once again. I sense Blake move behind me and, in seconds, he’s stood at my side, clearly sensing my unease. I don’t miss that Edward takes a step back as Blake gets slightly closer to him. What exactly does he think is going to happen?
We wait as her heel clicking gets louder before she appears behind Edward. My mouth drops open at the sight of her. It’s not the Prada handbag, the Jimmy Choos or the multiple Harrods bags swinging from her fingers that has my attention. It’s the pregnant belly she’s currently sporting.
“Addison, shit,” she says in a panic as she brings the bags up to cover her belly, but it’s too late.
I’m not sure what anyone is expecting me to do in this moment, but from the looks on their faces it isn’t to laugh.
I laugh like the scene playing out in front of me is the most hilarious thing I’ve ever seen. Well, let’s face it, it kind of is. I bet Jenifer thought she was made when her wealthy boss took an interest in her. She probably couldn’t believe her luck when I left and allowed her full access to my husband. She had the man and the money, or so she believed. I wonder if she knows the truth?
“Well, it looks like congratulations are in order. Your mother must be thrilled, Edward.” He doesn’t respond; he just looks over at Jenifer before his eyes come back to me.
“Could you wait in the car please, Jenifer?” Edward demands, clearly worried about what I’m going to say. Jenifer does as she’s told and she bolts in the direction of the front door.
“She doesn’t know, does she?”
“Addison,” he begs, as if I’m going to go running after her to spill all his secrets.
“Oh, this is your problem to deal with, Edward. I’m not getting involved in any way. I just want this divorce over with so I can move on with my life and put all of this behind me,” I say, gesturing to the apartment we’re in.
“It wasn’t that bad, was it?”
“It wasn’t great, Edward, but thanks to you I’ve got the chance to do what I’ve always wanted in a place I love. So in a way I want to thank you for fucking my PA, because you’ve really helped me out in the long run, even if I’m skint.”
“I’m so—”
“Don’t,” I snap. “I don’t want your pathetic apology. If you truly cared, it wouldn’t have come to this. A courier is coming tomorrow to pick up the stuff I want, then Juliette’s organising selling the rest. I’d appreciate it if you could deal with anything that’s still to be done as efficiently as possible so we can both move on. It looks like you have enough on your plate as it is.”
“O…of course,” he stutters.
“Well, goodbye then, Edward. It was…” I pause trying to think of the right word. “An experience.”
“Goodbye, Addison,” he says quietly. He stands and stares at me for a few seconds before turning on his heel and walking out of what once was our home.
Blake pulls me into his arms the second Edward leaves our sight. He holds me for the longest time while all sorts of images of my life with my husband float around my head.
“Are you okay?” he eventually whispers in my ear.
“Yeah, I’m really good,” I say, pulling back to look at him. “Wanna fuck me in my ex-husband’s kitchen?” I don’t know why I say it, because it’s the last thing I want to do right now, but the words fall from my mouth nonetheless.
“I might regret saying this but I really don’t. Let’s just get this done and get out of here.”
I’m really glad he didn’t take me up on that offer, because all I want to do is what he just suggested and go back to Ireland with him by my side.
